Improvement in hand-rests



' J'. RIDGE.

HAND-REST.

Patented Jan.Z3,187 7.

No.186,6Z5.

N. PETERS, FHOTO-LITHCGRAPHER, wASmNGTON D C UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH RIDGE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT m HAND-REST'S.

specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 186,625, dated January 23, 1877 application filed August 1, 1876.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOSEPH RIDGE, of Chicago, State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Hand-Guide for Penmen, of which the following is a full and complete description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to a device designed to prevent or remedy an incorrect position of the hand in writing.

'A position generally recognized as a correct one for the hand when using the pen is shown in the drawing-43. 6., the back of the hand facing the ceiling, the third and fourth fingers curved, and their ends resting on the paper to support the hand, and the pen-holder pointing over the right shoulder.

The hand-guide consists of the parts 01 and d, which serve to secure it on the hand, as shown in Figure l, and connected with these parts is the loop 11, and, if preferred, the post a, also a nib or projection, c.

The accompanying example is constructed of single piece of No. 16 spring-brass wire, bent into shape as apparent in; Fig. 2, this being, perhaps, the cheapest and best method of construction, though sheet-brass or other. sheet metal having the proper elasticity, with thickness and breadth sufficient to cause it to retain its shape and adhere to the hand without too great compression of the latter, may be used; or the parts marked d and d may be made of sheet metal, and the other parts of spring-wire soldered or riveted thereto may 7 be substituted. p The post a is designed to prevent the hand from turning over too far in an outward direction, but not designed entirely, if at all, as a rest for the hand, the third and fourth fingers being the proper supports for the hand. The fingers upon which the hand rests are held as the case may require, to adapt the guide to hands of difierent breadth, which, in that particular at least, is better than though the parts d and d were made of one piece, continuing directly across beneath the hand, and the loop I) made separately and secured thereto.

It is evident that while the use of the parts b, d, and d are necessary to fix the position of the fingers, the use of the post a is not indispensable, as it is not intended that when the hand is in proper position the post should rest on the paper. Nor is it necessary that the nib 0 should be attached, as it is not intended to support the pen at all times, but to define the limit of its depression. be preferred to give more freedom, both or either of these parts may be omitted.

Having thus fully described my said invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. As a new article of manufacture, a handguide for penmcn, constructed with the parts 01 d and loop I), substantially as described.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a handguide for penmcn, constructed with the parts (1 (1, loop b, and post a, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

As a new article of manufacture, a handguide for penmcn, constructed with the parts at (1, loop I), and nib c, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

. JOSEPH RIDGE.

Witnesses:

SAML. F. ESTELL, WILLIAM S. HALL.

Should it 

